King James Version

What Does 1 John 3:14 Mean?

1 John 3:14 in the King James Version says “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth i...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

1 John 3:14 · KJV

Love

Context

12

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

13

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Read 1 John 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. John provides assurance of salvation based on the evidence of love. "We know" (hēmeis oidamen) expresses certain knowledge, not mere hope or feeling. "That we have passed from death unto life" (hoti metabebēkamen ek tou thanatou eis tēn zōēn)—the perfect tense indicates a completed action with continuing results. Conversion is a decisive transition from the state of spiritual death to spiritual life.

The evidence: "because we love the brethren" (hoti agapōmen tous adelphous). The present tense indicates habitual, characteristic love. This isn't claiming perfect love but a genuine pattern of loving fellow believers. Love is both the evidence that we've passed to life and the result of that new life. We don't earn salvation by loving; rather, salvation produces love as inevitable fruit.

The negative: "He that loveth not his brother abideth in death" (ho mē agapōn ton adelphon menei en tō thanatō). The present tenses indicate continuing states—ongoing lovelessness means remaining in death. This person never passed from death to life; they remain in their unregenerate state. This stark statement echoes Jesus's parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46), where treatment of Christ's brethren reveals one's relationship to Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The language of passing from death to life recalls Jesus's teaching in John 5:24: "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." This transition occurs at conversion through faith. John emphasizes that this invisible spiritual transaction has visible behavioral evidence—love for fellow believers.

The phrase "abideth in death" would have resonated with Jewish understanding of spiritual death. Before Christ, all humanity was dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Regeneration brings life. Those who lack love's evidence have never been made alive, regardless of their profession. This challenged false professors in the early church who claimed Christian identity without transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your pattern of loving (or not loving) fellow believers provide evidence about whether you've truly passed from death to life?
  2. What's the relationship between assurance of salvation and the evidence of love—can you have one without the other?
  3. How can you cultivate more love for believers you find difficult to love, given that this love evidences genuine salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
ἡμεῖς1 of 23

“we”

G2249

we (only used when emphatic)

οἴδαμεν2 of 23

“We know”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι3 of 23

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

μεταβεβήκαμεν4 of 23

“have passed”

G3327

to change place

ἐκ5 of 23

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ6 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θανάτῳ7 of 23

“death”

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

εἰς8 of 23

“unto”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν9 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζωήν,10 of 23

“life”

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

ὅτι11 of 23

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἀγαπῶν12 of 23

“He that loveth”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τοὺς13 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφόν,14 of 23

“his brother”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

ὁ15 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μὴ16 of 23

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἀγαπῶν17 of 23

“He that loveth”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τὸν18 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφόν,19 of 23

“his brother”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

μένει20 of 23

“abideth”

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

ἐν21 of 23

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ22 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θανάτῳ23 of 23

“death”

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 3:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 3:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 13:351 John 5:2John 5:241 John 4:20-211 Thessalonians 4:9Hebrews 13:1

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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